We are finally down to the top 5 greatest rappers/emcees of my 50 greatest list. It's been a whole month, and now we are at the end.

When compiling this list I put many things into consideration, and the criteria is as follows: Lyrical ability, writing skills, rhyme skills, rhyme patterns and schemes, voice, vocal presence, passion, delivery, flow, cadence, execution, charisma, persona, poetic ability, wordplay, accolades and awards, longevity, catalog, influence, social impact, importance, mainstream success, recognition from both mainstream and underground fans, creativity, originality, and most importantly, my personal opinion and preference. I know some of those standards in my criteria are synonyms, but I didn't want to leave anything out, and some aspects will be weighed more than the others, depending on the artist.

Now, before I start, if you missed any of the previous additions to the list, you can check them out by clicking the links provided below.

Jay-Z may not have had the most flashiest, loudest, or passionate vocal delivery, but Jigga has mastered the art of keeping his delivery and rhymes simple while subtly saying a lot with excellent wordplay, poetics, and using words that have double meaning. Jay's vocal inflection rarely changes, it's a calm and cool tone, yet has displayed a very versatile flow. He is able to keep a solid and steady flow as he does on tracks "D'evils" and "Coming of Age", and he is also able to deliver a rhythmic and bouncy flow like he does on "Can I Get A..." and "Big Pimpin'". In 1996, Jay-Z released his highly acclaimed debut and Hip Hop classic "Reasonable Doubt", an album that fans argued and debated if it was better than Nas' debut "Illmatic". Jay-Z continued to release quality albums through out the late 90s, and in 2001, Jay-Z released another classic "The Blueprint", an album many consider to be Jay-Z's best. From the mid-90s and all through out the 2000s, Jay-Z has released good to great to classic albums, and has built an empire from the ground up, making Jay-Z one of the most, if not, the most successful entrepreneurs in Hip Hop history.

Check out: Reasonable Doubt album, Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life album, The Blueprint album, and The Black Album album

4

Eminem

When it comes to pure rhyming technique, Eminem is the greatest rhymer of all-time. Marshall Mathers was a true student of the art of rap and MCing, studying greats such as Rakim, Kool G Rap, LL Cool J, Masta Ace, and 2Pac, just to name a few. Em is a master rhymer that has displayed the ability to rhyme every single word on a bar with all the words on the subsequent bar, and continue the flow through the whole verse. Eminem rapped like he had something to prove, he single-handedly exercised the demon that was Vanilla Ice's infamous legacy that haunted over every rapper with a lack of melanin that had arrived after him. Eminem didn't open doors, he kicked the door off its hinges. In 1999, Eminem, also known as his alter ego Slim Shady, released his major label debut and classic "The Slim Shady LP", but his next album would be his First Amendment pushing masterpiece "The Marshall Mathers LP" which contains one of the most geniusly crafted Hip Hop tracks of all-time, "Stan". The word 'Stan' is now a phrase embedded in Hip Hop culture, referring to irrational fanboys of a certain artist. And even though Eminem's recent albums have been pretty inconsistent, he still creates tracks better than 90% of the rappers in the mainstream.

Check out: Infinite album, The Slim Shady LP album, The Marshal Mathers LP album, and The Eminem Show album

3

2Pac/Tupac Shakur

Tupac Shakur is the most influential rapper of all-time. And though many have tried to emulate his rapping style, 2Pac's influence was not based on compelling other artists to rap like him, but rather to share his beliefs and to understand his thug-life movement and mentality, no matter if you felt it was wrong or right. 2Pac was a mouthpiece for the poor and underprivileged, and he expressed it with an unmatchable passion. Pac may have not been the most skilled rhymer, though he did have his moments, he may not have had the wittiest of punchlines or the cleverest wordplay, but his soul poured out from his voice, his vocal presence, his flow, and his ear for beats were the best Hip Hop had to offer. After starting his career off with a short stint with Hip Hop group, Digital Underground, 2Pac released two moderately successful, yet critically acclaimed solo albums, but it was not until his third album and masterpiece "Me Against the World", released in 1995, his legacy truly began. It was nothing but pure quality after that, but unfortunately, during this time, he would partake in a dangerous and verbally violent rivalry with rapper The Notorious B.I.G., and it would remain that way until his untimely death in 1996 at the age of 25.

Check out: 2Pacalypse Now album, Me Against The World album, All Eyez On Me album, and Makaveli - The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory album

2

Rakim

The 'God-Emcee' is the moniker that Rakim is commonly referred to by Hip Hop purists, fans, critics, peers and colleagues alike. Rakim is not the most influential rapper of all-time, Rakim is the most influential emcee and rhymer of all-time. Rakim set the foundation for future great rhymers like Eminem, Big Pun, Kool G Rap, Nas, and Big L. In 1986, Rakim with producer/DJ, Eric B. formed the Hip Hop duo Eric B. & Rakim, releasing their groundbreaking "Paid in Full album" in 1987, and through the mid to late 80s and early 90s, Eric B. & Rakim would release four classic Hip Hop albums. During that time, Rakim changed the way people looked at rap, rhyming, and writing technique. When most rappers of the 80s would only rhyme the last word of each line and bar, Rakim would introduce internal rhyming, multi-syllable rhymes, and a more advanced writing technique that brought a new respect to the art form. There was no precedence to that type of rhyming style. In addition to Rakim's work with Eric B., he released solo albums in the late 90s and yet again emphasized his impressive rhyme skills and smooth delivery. Not only could he rhyme, he was able to tell a story, kick witty punchlines, solve mathematical problems, and even deliver consciousness to his raps. Rakim changed Hip Hop forever.

Check out: Paid In Full album, Follow The Leader album, Let The Rhythm Hit 'Em album, and The 18th Letter album

1

Nas

Nasir Jones is recognized by many to be the greatest lyricist in Hip Hop History. After an impressive featured performance on Main Source track "Live at the Barbeque" in 1991, Nas, at the age of 19, started recording what was to be the greatest Hip Hop album of all-time, "Illmatic". Released in 1994, Nas' debut album's high praise has been universal to the point that "Illmatic" is recognized as the Citizen Kane of Hip Hop albums. Nas' performance on "Illmatic" is the greatest performance by an emcee, ever. The beat selection and production all complimented Nas' impeccable flow. Nas was simply perfect, his confidence, smoothness, timing, picture painting narratives, and rhyme skills immediately brought up comparisons to Rakim. Now, if you subtract "Illmatic" from Nas' catalog, he would most likely still remain as one of top five greatest emcees of all-time. From 1991 to this very day, there has never been another emcee to touch on so many subjects, delivering a varying of different lyrical heavy albums, and do it at a high level. From his street tales on "It Was Written" to his sharing of his personal life and family matters on albums like "God's Son" and "Life is Good". From his answer to Jay-Z's challenge and remark of Nas falling off with his "Stillmatic" album to his opinion on the current state of Hip Hop on "Hip Hop is Dead", and even offering political commentary on his "Untitled" album. Nas will forever be the emcee, young and up-and-coming emcees will strive to accomplish to be like one day.

Check out: Illmatic album, It Was Written album, Stillmatic album, God's Son album, Untitled album, and Life Is Good album

Well, that is it. It was a long month, and I hope you guys enjoyed checking this list out as much as I loved compiling it, and I know I left out a few names the some were hoping to see on here, so, with that said, I'm thinking of making an honorable mention list, along with a thank you to all those that kept up with this list, and left comments.

We have made it to the Top 15 of the 50 Greatest Rappers of All-Time list, we are almost there, and today I will be starting at number 15 and ending at number 6, saving the Top 5 for last.

When compiling this list I put many things into consideration, and the criteria is as follows: Lyrical ability, writing skills, rhyme skills, rhyme patterns and schemes, voice, vocal presence, passion, delivery, flow, cadence, execution, charisma, persona, poetic ability, wordplay, accolades and awards, longevity, catalog, influence, social impact, importance, mainstream success, recognition from both mainstream and underground fans, creativity, originality, and most importantly, my personal opinion and preference. I know some of those standards in my criteria are synonyms, but I didn't want to leave anything out, and some aspects will be weighed more than the others, depending on the artist.

Now, before I start, if you missed any of the previous additions to the list, you can check them out by clicking the links provided below.

Lately, Black Thought has conveyed the appearance of an old school Jazz musician, rather than a microphone rocking emcee. And for two decades, Black Thought has been rocking the microphone as the frontman for Hip Hop band/group, The Roots. It usually takes ten years, sometimes less, for a skilled rapper to display signs of losing a step, but instead, Black Thought has remained one of the most consistent emcees of all-time, and has even added social commentary, story telling, and even some raspy jazz singing to his repertoire. Black Thought is one of the reasons The Roots have yet to create a sub-par album, and you can see their talented improvising work every weeknight on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.

Guru was one-half of perhaps the greatest duo of MC and DJ/Producer in Hip Hop History, Gang Starr. Guru, along with DJ Premier formed the Hip Hop duo, Gang Starr, and created some of the greatest Hip Hop albums of late 80s, and 90s. Guru's slow flow, solid rhyme skills, and distinctive and recognizable voice not only rapped about street life, but he rapped about life, and the well being of the Hip Hop culture. In addition to his work with Gang Starr, Guru also contributed with his excellent "Jazzmatazz" series, which was an impressive fusion of Hip Hop and Jazz. Guru, which stands for Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal, died in 2010 after succumbing to cancer.

Questioning what Chuck D did for Hip Hop is like questioning what nutrition does for your body. As the main emcee, and frontman for legendary Hip Hop group, Public Enemy, Chuck D didn't try to impress you with impressive rhyme schemes, he impressed with his presence, his delivery, his powerful and recognizable voice, attitude, and his crusade for civil rights through his political raps. Public Enemy may be the first Hip Hop group that Punk Rock fans could bang their head to with tracks like "Bring the Noise", "Rebel Without a Pause", and "Welcome to the Terrordome", just to name a few. Today, Chuck D remains one of Hip Hop's most respected ambassadors.

Check out: It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back album, Fear Of A Black Planet album, and Apocalypse 91...The Enemy Strikes Back album

12

Scarface

Scarface first gained notoriety as a member of the legendary Rap group, The Geto Boys, a group that is viewed as the Southern equivalent to N.W.A.. Scarface, along with Willie D, replaced two of the original members of Geto Boys, Sire Juke Box and Prince Johnny. The replacement delivered a much more violent and hardcore sound, which also pioneered a sub-genre of rap known as horrorcore. Scarface's debut with the Geto Boys resulted in the creation of their first classic album "Grip It! On That Other Level". Along with his work with the Geto Boys, Scarface's solo career was even more successful. Scarface's lyrics of street life, struggles, paranoia, and survival were potent, his slow flow poured out like syrup on hot cakes, and his voice spilled out the pain of his life experiences, Scarface is often placed right along side other respected lyricists, such as 2Pac and Nas.

Check out: The Diary album, The Last Of A Dying Breed album, and The Fix album

11

Andre 3000

Andre 3000, along with his partner in rhyme, Big Boi, formed the Hip Hop duo Outkast, and are the greatest rapping duo of all-time. From their debut album "Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik" in 1995, to their double album, which is also viewed as each members' solo album, "Speakerboxxx/The Love Below" in 2003, no one album ever sounded the same, with Andre's style more noticeably changing and evolving with each subsequent album. Andre 3000's delivery, style, flow is very chameleon like, his lyrics have substance, and his story telling abilities, especially regarding women and relationships, are unparalleled. From his work with Outkast to his solo and featured performances, Andre is respected by underground fans, mainstream fans, and his peers alike, he is definitely one of the greatest emcees of all-time.

"LL Cool J is hard as hell! Battle anybody I don't care who you tell! I excel! They all fail!" were the words shouted out by a 17 year old James Smith, off of his debut album "Radio" in 1985. LL Cool J, which stand for Ladies Love Cool James, is usually regarded as a rapper that makes love raps for women, but that simply just displays his versatility and his marketing genius. LL has been able to make love raps like "I Need Love", and yet still please his hardcore Hip Hop fans with tracks like "I'm Bad" and "Mama Said Knock You Out". LL was also not one to back down from a battle, namely with Kool Moe Dee, Ice-T, and his highly popular battle with young upstart, Canibus, which resulted in LL ruining Canibus' career. From 1985 to the 2000s, LL Cool J has built a legacy worthy of being considered an icon.

Check out: Radio album, Bigger And Deffer album, and Mama Said Knock You Out album

9

KRS-One

KRS-One, which stands for Knowledge Reigns Supreme Over Nearly Everyone, displayed his impressive MCing skills on his group, Boogie Down Production's legendary debut album, "Criminal Minded", released in 1987. The album contained two tracks, "South Bronx" and "The Bridge is Over" which ignited the rivalry between KRS-One and MC Shan of Queens, and essentially ended MC Shan's career prematurely. BDP's second album, "By Any Means Necessary", was considered another classic, as was third, fourth, and fifth BDP studio album. KRS-One would continue on with his solo career, and continue to deliver quality Hip Hop all through out the 90s. KRS-One's impressive raps skills, freestyle and improvising skills, use of a Reggae styled delivery on some of his earlier tracks, social commentary, and his stop the violence movement has all contributed in making KRS-One one the greatest emcees of all-time, and the most respected Hip Hop historian and teacher today.

Check out: Criminal Minded album, By All Means Necessary album, and Return Of The Boom Bap album

8

Slick Rick

The British-born Slick Rick gained notoriety while rapping on Doug E Fresh's tracks "The Show" and "La Di Da Di", the latter being covered and remade by Snoop Doggy Dogg on his debut album "Doggystyle". In 1988, Slick Rick released his highly acclaimed classic "The Great Adventures of Slick Rick". Slick Rick's next two follow up releases garnered mixed reviews, mainly because of criminal charges and troubles with Immigration and Naturalization Services. In 1999, Slick Rick released what was considered to be his authentic follow up to his debut album, "The Art Of Storytelling", and it was a success, The Ruler was truly back. Slick Rick's style and charisma personified coolness, his rhyme skill, flow, smooth delivery with just a hint of an English accent, and story telling skills influenced many of today's popular emcees, names like Nas, Biggie Smalls, Eminem, Snoop Doggy Dogg, Jay-Z, and even Nicki Minaj have either covered one of his songs, borrowed one of his lines, borrowed his delivery and flow, all in homage to the greatest story teller in Hip Hop history.

Check out: The Great Adventures Of Slick Rick album, and The Art Of Storytelling album

7

Notorious B.I.G.

Notorious B.I.G., better known as Biggie Smalls, only released one album while alive, "Ready to Die", yet that album alone, which is heavily regarded as one of greatest Hip Hop albums of all-time, placed Biggie Smalls amongst the greatest rappers of all-time. The album was a cinematic experience, starting off with his birth on the opening skit, and ending with his suicide on the track "Suicidal Thoughts". On the same album, it also contains one of the greatest rags to riches stories of all-time on the track "Juicy". After many impressive collaborative tracks, Biggie's follow up album, "Life After Death", was released two weeks after his untimely death, and despite the double album having a much more commercial sound, it was still considered another classic, and received great reviews. Biggie's unmistakable voice, versatile flow and delivery, charismatic sense of humor, and wicked rhyme skills have been imitated numerous times, but there will never be another Big Poppa.

Check out: Ready To Die album, and Life After Death album

6

Ice Cube

Ice Cube started his rapping career off with a bang! bang! As a member of legendary Hip Hop group, N.W.A., Ice Cube wrote the majority of the group's major label debut album "Straight Outta Compton", writing most of both Eazy-E's and Dr. Dre's lyrics. Cube would also write a considerable amount of the lyrics for Eazy-E's solo debut. After leaving the group because of a financial dispute, Cube was not getting paid for the work he had put into two high selling albums, he moved on to a highly successful solo career, while N.W.A. was slowly falling apart. Ice Cube's debut album, "AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted" was a powerful and highly controversial classic. His next album, "Death Certificate" contained one of the greatest diss/battle tracks of all-time, "No Vaseline", which was a direct answer to N.W.A.'s diss track to him, the track ended N.W.A. for good. Right at that moment, Ice Cube was at the top of the food chain. From the late 80s, through out the 90s, and even in the 2000s, Ice Cube's albums, EPs, and collaborative tracks has simply been quality. Ice Cube's beat riding flow, fierce lyrics on racial issues, street life, and corrupt police activities easily places him in the top ten greatest emcees of all-time.

Welcome to the 3rd part of my 50 greatest rappers of all-time list. We are finally down to the top 25, and I will start with number 25 and end this part at number 16.

When compiling this list I put many things into consideration, and the criteria is as follows: Lyrical ability, writing skills, rhyme skills, rhyme patterns and schemes, voice, vocal presence, passion, delivery, flow, cadence, execution, charisma, persona, poetic ability, wordplay, accolades and awards, longevity, catalog, influence, social impact, importance, mainstream success, recognition from both mainstream and underground fans, creativity, originality, and most importantly, my personal opinion and preference. I know some of those standards in my criteria are synonyms, but I didn't want to leave anything out, and some aspects will be weighed more than the others, depending on the artist.

Now, before I start, if you missed any of the previous addition to the list, you can check them out by clicking the links provided below.

Raekwon The Chef is one of only two Wu-Tang members to provide a verse on perhaps the greatest Wu-Tang Clan track of all-time, "C.R.E.A.M.". It is also argued that he holds the honor of creating the greatest Wu-Tang solo album of all-time with the highly acclaimed "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...". Raekwon, along with his partner in rhyme, Ghostface Killah, are considered the most crime oriented and street credible members of Wu-Tang. Raekwon's lyrics are soaked with street knowledge and criminology, delivered with his own brand of slang, and is executed with a raw flow.

Common is a poet, his spoken-word style has been his trademark since his debut album in 1992. In 1994 Common created one of the most important and beloved odes to Hip Hop with the track "I Used to Love H.E.R.". After being criticized as being soft, and mentioned on a track by Ice Cube and The Westside Connection, "Westside Slaughterhouse", Common answered back in 1996 with a superior diss track "The Bitch in Yoo", which resulted in Cube calling out for a truce. For over two decades, and a number of quality albums, Common continues to put out quality Hip Hop today.

Check out: Resurrection album, Like Water For Chocolate album, and Be album

23

Masta Ace

Masta Ace is one of the most underrated emcees to come out of the 80s. First featured on Marley Marl and the Juice Crew's posse cut "The Symphony" with legendary emcees Big Daddy Kane and Kool G Rap in 1988. Masta Ace released his underrated debut album "Take a Look Around" in 1990. Severely overlooked through out the 90s, despite creating some quality tracks, it wasn't until 2001 he earned universal acclaim with his album "Disposable Arts", which garnered considerable amount of critical acclaim as did his follow up album. Masta Ace's strong rhyme skills, and flow was influential to Eminem's early freestyle delivery in the late 90s.

Check out: Take A Look Around album, Disposable Arts album, and A Long Hot Summer album

22

Big Pun

Big Punisher made a name for himself as a featured artist in many of his friend and rhyme partner, Fat Joe's tracks in the late 90s. He pioneered the evolving complexity of rhymes skills, and is considered to be one of the greatest pure rhymers in Hip Hop history. Big Pun was the complete package, complex rhymes schemes, a witty and raunchy sense of humor, the ability to tell a story, a steady and ferocious delivery, and an impressive rhythmic flow that rarely paused for a breath. Big Pun's critically acclaimed debut album "Capitol Punishment" would be his first and only solo album that he would release while he was alive. Big Pun would die in 2000 because of complications with his health and weight.

Check out: Capitol Punishment album, and Don Cartagena album

21

The D.O.C.

As an unofficial member of N.W.A., The D.O.C., along with Ice Cube, wrote most of Eazy-E's lyrics for Eazy-E's debut album "Eazy-Duz-It". In 1989, The D.O.C. would release his highly acclaimed Hip Hop classic "No One Can Do It Better", displaying skills that were comparable to other skilled emcees of the 80s like Big Daddy Kane and Rakim. It seemed like The D.O.C. would be destined for greatest, but five months after the release of his debut, he was involved in a near fatal automobile accident that resulted in the losing of his voice. Even without his voice, he assisted in the writing of many Hip Hop classics after his accident, namely classics like N.W.A.'s "Niggaz4Life", and Dr. Dre's "The Chronic" and "2001". The D.O.C. continues to be Dr. Dre's main ghostwriter.

Check out: No One Can Do It Better album

20

GZA/The Genius

The GZA, also known as The Genius, is considered by many to be the Wu-Tang Clan's best pure lyricist of the group. In addition to that distinction, GZA's solo album "Liquid Swords" is also considered by many to be one of the best Wu-Tang solo albums of all-time, and one of the greatest albums of the 90s. GZA's writing ability is genius, his social commentary, wordplay and ability to use words that have double meaning is perhaps surpassed by no one, as evident in tracks like "Labels", "Publicity", "Fame", and "Animal Planet", where he uses the names of celebrities, publications, record labels, and animals to tell a story.

Check out: Liquid Swords album, Beneath The Surface album, and Legend Of The Liquid Sword album

19

Big Daddy Kane

Big Daddy Kane started his career in the mid-80s as a member of the Juice Crew, and assisted in the writing of a lot of early Biz Markie tracks, including "Vapors". Kane would later go on to a solo career and released some of the best Hip Hop classics of the 80s. Big Daddy Kane was the lyrical lady's man, his fly and cool persona was matched by only a miniscule few. Regarded as one of the most influential emcees of the 80s, his rhyming skills almost sparked a feud with fellow great, Rakim, but nothing really materialized. Kane's career continued through the early 90s, and even the 2000s as a featured artist, and continues to impress.

Check out: Long Live The Kane album, and It's A Big Daddy Thing album

18

Lauryn Hill

Universally recognized as the most talented member of the Fugees, Lauryn Hill is not only the greatest female emcee of all-time, but she is recognized as one of the greatest emcees of all-time, regardless of sex. As the premiere and most lyrically skilled member of the Fugees, Lauryn Hill, also known as L Boogie, entertained with her unique brand of lyricism, rhyme skill, and bouncy flow, she is also an accomplished song writer and talented singer. After two successful albums with her group, Fugees, she released her outstanding solo debut "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" and cemented her mark in Hip Hop history forever.

Check out: Blunted On Reality album, The Score album, and The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill album

17

Busta Rhymes

Busta Rhymes has been doing his thing for two decades now, as a member of Leaders of the New School in the early 90s to his solo career that started with his debut in 1996. Busta Rhymes, in addition to having impressive rhymes skills, has a very versatile delivery, he can rap slow, he can rap while yelling, he can rap with a very bouncy and rhythmic flow, or he can just go non-stop with rhymes at a very fast pace. In the 90s he created some of the funnest Hip Hop tracks and videos of all-time, "Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See" and "Dangerous" just to name a couple. And in the 2000s, he has continued to put out quality and fun Hip Hop as a solo artist and in featured performances.

Check out: The Coming album, When Disaster Strikes... album, and E.L.E. (Extinction Level Event): The Final World Front album

16

Kool G Rap

As a member of Juice Crew in the mid-80s, Kool G Rap was recognized as one of the top five most skilled emcees of the 80s, along with Big Daddy Kane, Rakim, Slick Rick, and LL Cool J. Kool G Rap would later form a Hip Hop duo with producer DJ Polo, and during his time with DJ Polo in the late 80s, Kool G Rap pioneered gangsta rap in the East Coast, which at the time, gangsta rap was regarded as a West Coast niche. His third album "Live and Let Die" placed Kool G Rap as one of the best story tellers in Hip Hop. To this day, G Rap is one of the most influential rhymers from the 80s, his strong rhyme skills and steady flow influenced future greats like Nas and Eminem.

Check out: Road To The Riches album, Wanted: Dead Or Alive album, and Live And Let Die album

That is it for this week, next week I will be revealing the top 15, starting with number 15 and ending at number 6.

Welcome to part two of my list of the 50 greatest rappers of all-time. On this Friday, I will continue the list starting with number 35 and ending at number 26.

When compiling this list I put many things into consideration, and the criteria is as follows: Lyrical ability, writing skills, rhyme skills, rhyme patterns and schemes, voice, vocal presence, passion, delivery, flow, cadence, execution, charisma, persona, poetic ability, wordplay, accolades and awards, longevity, catalog, influence, social impact, importance, mainstream success, recognition from both mainstream and underground fans, creativity, originality, and most importantly, my personal opinion and preference. I know some of those standards in my criteria are synonyms, but I didn't want to leave anything out, and some aspects will be weighed more than the others, depending on the artist.

Now, before I start, if you missed part one of the top 50, you can check it out by clicking the link below.

As member of acclaimed Hip Hop duo, UGK, it's unfortunate that it took the passing of his best friend and partner, Pimp C, for many to realize that Bun B could flow. From his performance on UGK's debut album "Too Hard to Swallow" in the early 90s to his featured performances with other rap giants like Jay-Z, E-40, Raekwon, Method Man and Redman; Bun B has been able to hold his own with the very best. In addition to his popular solo albums, Bun B has been entertaining Rap fans with his flow, rhyme skills and southern drawl for two decades.

Method Man is perhaps the most popular and recognizable member of the Wu-Tang Clan. His rugged voice and charismatic flow made him one of the group's fan favorites. Though his solo albums are not considered to be the best Wu-Tang has offered as far as solo projects, his work with the Wu-Tang Clan and smoking buddy, Redman, has resulted in some of the best verses the man, also known as Iron Lung, has ever created. One last tidbit, Method Man is the only emcee to be featured on both Notorious B.I.G.'s and Tupac Shakur's albums while they were both still alive.

Tupac Shakur once crowned E-40 as the king of Bay Area Rap. E-40 built that distinction from the ground up, his offbeat flow, his charismatic way of speaking, his unusual lingo and slang has made E-40 one of the most unique personalities in Hip Hop history. Along with the work he has done with his group, The Click, E-40 has been sprinkling rap fans with his unique perspective of street life for over two decades, and has retained a strong following ever since he described and invented the term "Captain Save a Hoe" in the early 90s.

Check out: In A Major Way album, Game Related album, and The Hall Of Game album

32

Ghostface Killah

As a prominent member of the Wu-Tang Clan, Ghostface Killah started to earn respect for his flow when he was heavily featured and co-starred on his friend's and fellow Wu-Tang member, Raekwon's solo debut "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...". In addition to his work with other members of the Wu-Tang Clan, Ghostface has created some of the best solo albums that Wu-Tang has ever released. His unique flow, and conversation styled delivery has earned him a spot as one of the greatest emcees of all-time.

Mos Def, who is now known as Yasiin Bey, is the type of emcee that is both comfortable behind the microphone at a Hip Hop show and on stage at a poetry slam. Mos Def's smooth flow, mellow voice, poetic lyrics, and strong rhyme skills were first heard by many on the criminally underrated album "Black Star" with fellow emcee Talib Kweli. From his solo albums to his featured appearances, Mos Def has displayed rhyme skills that Hip Hop fans expect from any top emcee, and that is one of the reasons why he remains one of the premiere emcees today.

Check out: Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star album, Black On Both Sides album, and The Estatic album

30

DJ Quik

DJ Quik is perhaps the most underrated producer/rapper of all-time. In 1991, he released his successful "Quik is the Name" debut album, and in 1995, DJ Quik created his masterpiece "Safe + Sound", an album that can be placed right along the side of other G-Funk classics from the west coast, such as "Doggystyle" and "The Chronic". "Safe + Sound" also contains one of the greatest diss tracks of all-time, "Dollaz + Sense", a viscous attack directed at rival Compton rapper, MC Eiht. Though highly skilled as a producer and musician, his smooth rap flow, consistency, and longevity is what places him on this list.

Check out: Quik Is The Name album, Safe + Sound album, and Under Tha Influence album

29

Rev. Run

As a member of legendary Hall-of-Fame Hip Hop group, Run-D.M.C., Joseph "Run" Simmons is the most recognizable member of the group. Along with fellow members, D.M.C., and the late Jam Master Jay, Run-D.M.C. became one of the most influential Hip Hop groups of all-time. Despite being considered as an 80s act, Rev. Run displayed an ability to adapt with an evolved skill set during the 90s with the track "Down with the King" and continued to impress as a featured artist through the 90s and early 2000s.

Check out: Run-D.M.C. album, King Of Rock album, and Raising Hell album

28

Big L

Before his untimely death, Big L was considered to potentially one day be placed amongst the top ten greatest rappers of all-time. He was to sign a major record deal with Roc-A-Fella Records weeks before his passing. Big L first released his debut album "Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous" in 1995 at the age of 20, and received favorable reviews, years later he would earn the title of freestyle king by rapping freestyle verses at the request of radio DJs during interviews. Big L was the total package, a crystal clear voice and delivery, rhyme skills on par with the best of all-time, and punchlines that could knockout any competitor.

Talib Kweli's work with artists like Mos Def, and Hi-Tek is enough to place him on this list, his solo projects cements him in. A socially conscious rapper with impressive rhyme skills and an ability to entertain a variety of different and diverse Hip Hop fans, Talib Kweli is respected by critics, fans and peers alike. His debut solo album "Quality" released in 2002 is considered to be one of the greatest Hip Hop albums of the 2000s.

Redman is the epitome of a traditional party emcee. His vocal delivery is loud and clear, his rhymes are hardcore and raw, and his style remains consistent til this day. From his debut album in 1992 to his work with fellow smoke buddy, Method Man; Redman is not one to take himself too serious or talk about social issues, he is simply on the mic to have fun, make heads nod, start a party and persuade you to take a toke, and the Funk Doc has been doing that without losing a step for two decades.

Check out: Whut? Thee Album album, Muddy Waters, and Blackout! album

That is it for this week, next week I will continue with number 25 and end with at number 16.

Welcome to a special edition of Hip Hop Friday, tonight, and for each week until the end of November, I will be unveiling a part of my list of the 50 greatest emcees of all-time. I know some of you wanted this list from me for a while, and I finally decided to compile it.

It was not easy, it changed many times, went through many rearranges. I put many things into consideration, and the criteria is as follows: Lyrical ability, writing skills, rhyme skills, rhyme patterns and schemes, voice, passion, delivery, flow, cadence, execution, charisma, persona, poetic ability, wordplay, accolades and awards, longevity, catalog, influence, social impact, importance, mainstream success, recognition from both mainstream and underground fans, creativity, originality, and most importantly, my personal opinion. I know some of those standards in my criteria are synonyms, but I didn't want to leave anything out, and some aspects will be weighed more than the others, depending on the artist.

Okay, without further ado, here is my top 50, starting with 50 to 36.

50

MC Lyte

In the 80s and early 90s, MC Lyte was one of the first female emcees to get recognition as a dope emcee, and not just another girl-rapper, she proved with tracks like "Cha Cha Cha", "Lyte as a Rock", "10% Diss", and "Ruff Neck" that women in Hip Hop can spit rough, rugged, and raw.

Check out: Lyte As A Rock album, Eyes On This album, and Ain't No Other album

49

The Fresh Prince/Will Smith

Yeah, he could be cheesy, corny, and silly, but there is no denying that this man could rap without sacrificing who he really is. Will and his partner, DJ Jazzy Jeff made Rap music that parents would allow their children to listen to, they were like Cheerios, kid tested and mother approved, even Will Smith has said he made music that his mother could listen to. He could make tracks like "Parents Just Don't Understand" and still please the hardcore Hip Hop heads with a track like "Brand New Funk". Plus! This man made one of the most recognizable sitcom theme songs of all-time. "From West Philadelphia, born and raised..."

Check out:He's The DJ, I'm The Rapper album, and Homebase album

48

Del The Funky Homosapien

Ice Cube's cousin, Del The Funky Homosapien started off writing raps for Ice Cube's group, Da Lench Mob. Then he displayed his talents as an emcee with his solo album "I Wish My Brother Was Here". As a frontman for one of the most respected underground Hip Hop crews in California, The Hieroglyphics, and his work with the band, The Gorillaz with tracks like "Clint Eastwood" and "Rock The House" all add up to make Del the funkiest and dopest emcees of all-time.

Check out: I Wish My Brother Was Here album, and Both Sides Of The Brain album

47

Kool Keith

As a part of the group, Ultramagnetic MCs, Kool Keith was the keystone to the group's success and in creation of their Hip Hop classic "Critical Beatdown". Keith's early 80s delivery was as fresh and as unique as any emcee at the time, he would later release his solo debut under the alias, Dr. Octagon, and his offbeat, quirky delivery, and horror-core sounding beats was something unheard during the 90s when Gangsta Rap/Mafioso Rap was ruling the airwaves.

Check out: Critical Beatdown album, and Dr. Octagonecologyst album

46

Q-Tip

As the most recognizable member of legendary Hip Hop group, A Tribe Called Quest, Q-Tip's mellow, cool, down to earth and poetic delivery is unmistakeable to confuse him with another rapper when you hear it. From his work with his legendary group to his successful solo ventures, Q-Tip has left his mark in Hip Hop. Oh yeah, it's a vivrant thing.

Check out: The Low End Theory album, Midnight Marauders album, and Amplified album

45

AZ

AZ was the only featured artist on Nas' classic "Illmatic" album, and he delivered a verse worthy of that great album. Through out his career, he has created some of the greatest collaborations in Hip Hop with his unofficial partner in crime, Nas. From his features to his performances on his solo albums, AZ has displayed skills on par with some of the greatest emcees ever.

Check out: Doe Or Die album, and Aziatic album

44

Kanye West

No matter what your opinion is on Kanye West's diva attitude, he has created some of the best Hip Hop albums of the 2000s, namely his classic "College Dropout". And though his production skills are better then his rapping, he is no slouch when it comes to microphone skill, his wordplay and poetic delivery are the main reasons he is still relevant today.

My choice of the late great Adam "MCA" Yauch is also in part a recognition for his legendary Hip Hop group, The Beastie Boys. MCA makes the list because he is the most recognizable member of the group. And though The Beastie Boys are not known for complex lyricism, they are the greatest party rocking rap group of all-time. No other Hip Hop group has achieved their longevity and relevance, almost 30 years of great music.

Pharoahe Monch is one of those underground emcees that everyone loves and nobody can hate, he is witty, clever, charismatic, and sounds like he loves what he does. As part of the respected underground rap duo, Organized Konfusion, Pharoahe Monch started receiving critical acclaim and mainstream success when he released his solo album "Internal Affairs", which featured his hit single "Simon Says". Pharoahe Monch is one of the better rhymers in Hip Hop.

Tech N9ne is one of the highest selling independent Hip Hop artists of all-time. His rapid delivery, rhythmic and melodic flow, and rhyme skills make him one of the most respected underground artists by both mainstream fans and underground Hip Hop fans alike. Tech N9ne has been creating great albums for over a decade now.

Check out: Anghellic album, and All 6's And 7's album

40

Too Short

The Godfather of Bay Area Rap is the one of the first West Coast rap stars in Hip Hop. Too Short's cool and effortless slow flow has been entertaining fans for more than two decades. His explicit lyrics, and the signature way he says "bitch" has influenced many rappers that came after him, namely Snoop Doggy Dogg.

Check out: Born To Mack album, Life Is... Too Short album, and Get In Where You Fit In album

39

Snoop Doggy Dogg

Snoop Lion, as he known now, is essentially a silly caricature of himself, but during the years between 1992 through 1995, Snoop Doggy Dogg was the most recognizable Rap personality in the world. In 1992, Snoop Dogg helped to create Dr. Dre's classic "The Chronic" and in 1993, Snoop Dogg with the assistance of his mentor, Dr. Dre, created one of the greatest Hip Hop albums of all-time "Doggystyle". Not only are those albums looked at as classics, but they are considered masterpieces.

Check out: The Chronic album, and Doggystyle album

38

DMX

When DMX released his critically acclaimed Hip Hop classic "It's Dark and Hell is Hot", comparisons to the late great Tupac Shakur started surfacing because of his passionate and ferocious delivery, and his intense tales of street life. DMX was one of the most popular Hip Hop artists during the late 90s, and was the first artist since 2Pac to release two albums in the same year, and have them debut at number one on the Billboards Top 200.

Check out: It's Dark And Hell Is Hot album, Flesh Of My Flesh, Blood Of My Blood album, and ...And Then There Was X album

37

Immortal Technique

When it comes to political knowledge, the exposing of corrupt government, and opinions on religion, racism and world issues, there are not many emcees that can express them as well Immortal Technique. Add his ability to tell a story on tracks like "Dance with the Devil" and "You Never Know" and the respect he receives from his peers and Hip hop fan alike make Immortal Technique one of the greatest Hip Hop artists of all-time, despite his lack of mainstream success.

Check out: Revolutionary Vol. 1 album, and Revolutionary Vol. 2 album

36

Treach

As a member of Naughty By Nature, Treach's unbelievably smooth flow, effortless execution, delivering non-stop rhymes which helped to make Naughty By Nature the kings of the Hip Hop anthems in the 90s, from "O.P.P.", "Uptown Anthem", "Hip Hop Hooray" to "Feel Me Flow" Treach was usually the sole performer on all of these hot tracks. Treach was the main reason for the balance of Naughty By Nature's success between the pop charts and hardcore respectability.